A REPORT into a scheme involving holidays and car user allowances at Caerphilly council has been referred to the police for investigation.

Gwent Police has referred the Wales Audit Office probe to Avon and Somerset Police, which has already looked into the matter of controversial pay rises at the authority.

The force said the matter should be investigated to ensure transparency.

Avon and Somerset says they are yet to make a decision on the request from the force’s chief constable Jeff Farrar.

Auditors found that thousands of pounds in payments to Caerphilly council’s chief officers to buy out their entitlement to essential car users and annual leave allowances, and the decisions that led to them, were unlawful.

The Wales Audit Office said that the deals were approved by those who stood to gain from them, and the proposals and decisions were not made known to councillors, or published.

Last summer it emerged that 40 senior officers at Caerphilly council received payments averaging £2,500 each for buying out the car allowances.

The total was more than £102,000.

The buy-out of additional annual leave cost close to £116,000, with the overall buy-out payment sum reaching £218,563.

A spokesman for Gwent Police said it has considered the public interest report by the Wales Audit Office and decided it should be investigated by police "to ensure complete transparency and independence."

“However in light of our close proximity and working relationship with Caerphilly County Borough Council it is not appropriate for it to be investigated by the Gwent force, and as such the investigation has been referred to Avon and Somerset Police," he said.

“This is consistent with the previous approach in respect of chief officer pay awards already which is currently [under] investigation by Avon and Somerset.”

An Avon and Somerset spokesman said the force is aware of the chief constable's request: “We will be making a decision about this request in due course.”

A separate case regarding fraud claims over pay rises for senior officers has been referred by Avon and Somerset Police to the Crown Prosecution Service for a decision.

Both the council’s chief executive Anthony O’Sullivan and his deputy Nigel Barnett remain on police bail.

Comments

Nig
5:35pm Tue 7 Jan 14

This was done under the Plaid led council 2008 to 2012, the odd thing is the man who was deputy leader at the time ,Cllr Colin Mann, tells us he did not know about these payments. In power but not in control, springs to mind , he should apologies to the public for his incompetence’s and resign. It was Labour who when taking control in May 2012 reported the issue to the Audit office, who then deemed it unlawful, it was Plaid who insisted on appointing O ‘ Sullivan and Barnet , who are now on police bail, this latest issue proves that the rot started under Plaid.

This was done under the Plaid led council 2008 to 2012, the odd thing is the man who was deputy leader at the time ,Cllr Colin Mann, tells us he did not know about these payments. In power but not in control, springs to mind , he should apologies to the public for his incompetence’s and resign. It was Labour who when taking control in May 2012 reported the issue to the Audit office, who then deemed it unlawful, it was Plaid who insisted on appointing O ‘ Sullivan and Barnet , who are now on police bail, this latest issue proves that the rot started under Plaid.Nig

This was done under the Plaid led council 2008 to 2012, the odd thing is the man who was deputy leader at the time ,Cllr Colin Mann, tells us he did not know about these payments. In power but not in control, springs to mind , he should apologies to the public for his incompetence’s and resign. It was Labour who when taking control in May 2012 reported the issue to the Audit office, who then deemed it unlawful, it was Plaid who insisted on appointing O ‘ Sullivan and Barnet , who are now on police bail, this latest issue proves that the rot started under Plaid.

Score: 0

whatintheworld
8:41pm Tue 7 Jan 14

Nig wrote…

This was done under the Plaid led council 2008 to 2012, the odd thing is the man who was deputy leader at the time ,Cllr Colin Mann, tells us he did not know about these payments. In power but not in control, springs to mind , he should apologies to the public for his incompetence’s and resign. It was Labour who when taking control in May 2012 reported the issue to the Audit office, who then deemed it unlawful, it was Plaid who insisted on appointing O ‘ Sullivan and Barnet , who are now on police bail, this latest issue proves that the rot started under Plaid.

The Wales Audit Office said that the deals were approved by those who stood to gain from them, and the proposals and decisions were not made known to councillors, or published.

[quote][p][bold]Nig[/bold] wrote:
This was done under the Plaid led council 2008 to 2012, the odd thing is the man who was deputy leader at the time ,Cllr Colin Mann, tells us he did not know about these payments. In power but not in control, springs to mind , he should apologies to the public for his incompetence’s and resign. It was Labour who when taking control in May 2012 reported the issue to the Audit office, who then deemed it unlawful, it was Plaid who insisted on appointing O ‘ Sullivan and Barnet , who are now on police bail, this latest issue proves that the rot started under Plaid.[/p][/quote]The Wales Audit Office said that the deals were approved by those who stood to gain from them, and the proposals and decisions were not made known to councillors, or published.whatintheworld

Nig wrote…

This was done under the Plaid led council 2008 to 2012, the odd thing is the man who was deputy leader at the time ,Cllr Colin Mann, tells us he did not know about these payments. In power but not in control, springs to mind , he should apologies to the public for his incompetence’s and resign. It was Labour who when taking control in May 2012 reported the issue to the Audit office, who then deemed it unlawful, it was Plaid who insisted on appointing O ‘ Sullivan and Barnet , who are now on police bail, this latest issue proves that the rot started under Plaid.

The Wales Audit Office said that the deals were approved by those who stood to gain from them, and the proposals and decisions were not made known to councillors, or published.

Score: -3

fairplay1
8:51pm Tue 7 Jan 14

One rule for one, Bosses, another rule for the other Ordinary worker

One rule for one, Bosses, another rule for the other Ordinary workerfairplay1

One rule for one, Bosses, another rule for the other Ordinary worker

Score: -1

Cwmderi
10:04pm Tue 7 Jan 14

Nig would know that the Wales Audit Office report clearly stated that the decision to award the holidays and car user allowances were taken at closed meetings of senior management and no declarations were recorded at any stage by those present. The report is also clear that no elected members were consulted or involved in these decisions which also excluded the Leader and the Deputy Leader in this unlawful process.
It is clear that Nig is once again throwing up yet another smoke screen to cover the failings of himself and his Labour colleagues over the whole pay scandal and have turned Caerphilly county into a rotten borough in less than two years.
Last week Nig brought his party into disrepute by slagging off his own local Labour AM Gwyn Price and also a fellow councillor and Chief whip Gez Kirby, by inadvertently sending his personal attack on them in an e-mail to all and sundry. Claiming he made a mistake because he did not have his glasses on.
It will be interesting to see what actions the Labour Party take over his latest outburst and distortion of the truth in public.

Nig would know that the Wales Audit Office report clearly stated that the decision to award the holidays and car user allowances were taken at closed meetings of senior management and no declarations were recorded at any stage by those present. The report is also clear that no elected members were consulted or involved in these decisions which also excluded the Leader and the Deputy Leader in this unlawful process.
It is clear that Nig is once again throwing up yet another smoke screen to cover the failings of himself and his Labour colleagues over the whole pay scandal and have turned Caerphilly county into a rotten borough in less than two years.
Last week Nig brought his party into disrepute by slagging off his own local Labour AM Gwyn Price and also a fellow councillor and Chief whip Gez Kirby, by inadvertently sending his personal attack on them in an e-mail to all and sundry. Claiming he made a mistake because he did not have his glasses on.
It will be interesting to see what actions the Labour Party take over his latest outburst and distortion of the truth in public.Cwmderi

Nig would know that the Wales Audit Office report clearly stated that the decision to award the holidays and car user allowances were taken at closed meetings of senior management and no declarations were recorded at any stage by those present. The report is also clear that no elected members were consulted or involved in these decisions which also excluded the Leader and the Deputy Leader in this unlawful process.
It is clear that Nig is once again throwing up yet another smoke screen to cover the failings of himself and his Labour colleagues over the whole pay scandal and have turned Caerphilly county into a rotten borough in less than two years.
Last week Nig brought his party into disrepute by slagging off his own local Labour AM Gwyn Price and also a fellow councillor and Chief whip Gez Kirby, by inadvertently sending his personal attack on them in an e-mail to all and sundry. Claiming he made a mistake because he did not have his glasses on.
It will be interesting to see what actions the Labour Party take over his latest outburst and distortion of the truth in public.

Score: -3

Woodgnome
8:32am Wed 8 Jan 14

Let's at least get the facts right. Nig is wrong and Cwmderi is right. Either way, surely the senior officials of this place in question need to be subject to a disciplinary hearing as a minimum and if there is serious wrongdoing sacked. If you can't rely on the officials AND the Councillors there seems little hope without major change.

Let's at least get the facts right. Nig is wrong and Cwmderi is right. Either way, surely the senior officials of this place in question need to be subject to a disciplinary hearing as a minimum and if there is serious wrongdoing sacked. If you can't rely on the officials AND the Councillors there seems little hope without major change.Woodgnome

Let's at least get the facts right. Nig is wrong and Cwmderi is right. Either way, surely the senior officials of this place in question need to be subject to a disciplinary hearing as a minimum and if there is serious wrongdoing sacked. If you can't rely on the officials AND the Councillors there seems little hope without major change.

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